Friday, November 27, 2009
Today I slept in a little, got up and went for a good, long walk (it was chilly!), had Fage + granola for breakfast (my fave), went with My Heart's Desire and his family to his cousin's house for yummy lunch (yes, I asked for the recipes so I could steal), we were 17 adults, 6 kids, 4 dogs, countless hugs, and had post-Thanksgiving fun.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving Gratitude
This Thanksgiving I’m really grateful. Most of all, for the fantastic people in my life.
I usually don't get to see my immediate family members very often. This year, I’ve seen everyone at least twice. This is a challenge for us because we live in 3 different states and 1 foreign country.
This spring I went to California for work and I was able to stay a few extra days and see friends and family. It was great! I was able to hug, hang out, and eat yummy meals with people I haven’t seen in ages. My mom hosted a brunch at her place for me and three of my Aunts, where we were able to catch up with each other. And I also got to meet my BFF’s then-boyfriend, now fiancé.
One of my good friends from college came out to DC and we got to chat it up over fish tacos. It was fantastic to see her! I also saw my college roommate when I was in Vegas, who I hadn't seen in ages. So good to catch up!
In addition to all of this great fun, there were some more formal occasions as well. I showered some friends with bridal love. I witnessed and danced at a good friend's wedding. I met My Heart's Desire's best friend's twins (one girl, one boy) on the day they were born. Even on the few sad occasions, I was able to appreciate the covenant of family.
I have been able to work with my mentor regularly, and she gives me the skills I need to work with my mentees. It really is amazing to watch my mentees change and grow!
I've also created some traditions with friends, like a monthly brunch, which I enjoy and allows other people to join our group for friendship. I also see a few close friends regularly, and we've played hooky and gone to the movies (always a favorite of mine), and have an annual lunch and cookie decorating date to kick off the holidays. This year we threw in an inexpensive pedicure too!
This year, more and more I have been appreciating the wonderful people in my life.
I usually don't get to see my immediate family members very often. This year, I’ve seen everyone at least twice. This is a challenge for us because we live in 3 different states and 1 foreign country.
This spring I went to California for work and I was able to stay a few extra days and see friends and family. It was great! I was able to hug, hang out, and eat yummy meals with people I haven’t seen in ages. My mom hosted a brunch at her place for me and three of my Aunts, where we were able to catch up with each other. And I also got to meet my BFF’s then-boyfriend, now fiancé.
One of my good friends from college came out to DC and we got to chat it up over fish tacos. It was fantastic to see her! I also saw my college roommate when I was in Vegas, who I hadn't seen in ages. So good to catch up!
In addition to all of this great fun, there were some more formal occasions as well. I showered some friends with bridal love. I witnessed and danced at a good friend's wedding. I met My Heart's Desire's best friend's twins (one girl, one boy) on the day they were born. Even on the few sad occasions, I was able to appreciate the covenant of family.
I have been able to work with my mentor regularly, and she gives me the skills I need to work with my mentees. It really is amazing to watch my mentees change and grow!
I've also created some traditions with friends, like a monthly brunch, which I enjoy and allows other people to join our group for friendship. I also see a few close friends regularly, and we've played hooky and gone to the movies (always a favorite of mine), and have an annual lunch and cookie decorating date to kick off the holidays. This year we threw in an inexpensive pedicure too!
This year, more and more I have been appreciating the wonderful people in my life.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Getting Ready For Thanksgiving
Yesterday my Sunday School class, My Heart's Desire, and I volunteered to make grocery bags to provide Thanksgiving food for local families.
We worked sorting food, creating bags with good stuff, and making sure the bags had the right contents. When we left, there were more than 450 bags!
It was great to work with the youth (from other churches as well). One said, "My families are going to be so happy, I made them great bags!"
It's easy for me to get wrapped up in the minutiae of the holidays - family stuff and chores and food and shopping and parties. I love starting the holiday season off by being of service.
We worked sorting food, creating bags with good stuff, and making sure the bags had the right contents. When we left, there were more than 450 bags!
It was great to work with the youth (from other churches as well). One said, "My families are going to be so happy, I made them great bags!"
It's easy for me to get wrapped up in the minutiae of the holidays - family stuff and chores and food and shopping and parties. I love starting the holiday season off by being of service.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Today I got up early, read for a bit, bought apples and potatoes at the local Amish market, went to a craft bazaar at my old middle school, went to the gym, came home and had lunch with My Heart's Desire (PB&J and apple slices), ran errands together (every place we went was slammed and the traffic was horrendous, people preparing for the holidays?), came home and made dinner together, colored my own hair to remove my "natural highlights", finished my book - The Night Listener by Armistead Maupin (meh), and am going to watch CSI On Demand.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thrifty Girl Report - November
Can I live without it?
There are a lot of things I would like (or love) to have but when I ask myself, "Can I live without it?" I can differentiate between a want and a need.
Mail-In Rebates
Oh, I'll mail it in. Last month I bought a new phone for $129 and they offered a $100 rebate. I mailed that in quick, fast, and in a hurry. I don't even care that it takes 10-14 weeks for the rebate, money's coming!
Brown Bag Lunch
I usually go out to lunch about once a week with a friend or coworker. But I've also been having brown bag lunches with coworkers, where we get to chat and catch up over our sammies and salads. It's no additional expense and lots of fun.
Matinee, please
My Heart's Desire and I go through phases where we go to the movies a lot. And that gets expensive. I have a rewards card with one theater we go to a lot and use it on every purchase. Going to the early show for the matinee saves us $.
Coupons and deals
I regularly check websites like Retail Me Not and The Consumerist for information on deals.
There are a lot of things I would like (or love) to have but when I ask myself, "Can I live without it?" I can differentiate between a want and a need.
Mail-In Rebates
Oh, I'll mail it in. Last month I bought a new phone for $129 and they offered a $100 rebate. I mailed that in quick, fast, and in a hurry. I don't even care that it takes 10-14 weeks for the rebate, money's coming!
Brown Bag Lunch
I usually go out to lunch about once a week with a friend or coworker. But I've also been having brown bag lunches with coworkers, where we get to chat and catch up over our sammies and salads. It's no additional expense and lots of fun.
Matinee, please
My Heart's Desire and I go through phases where we go to the movies a lot. And that gets expensive. I have a rewards card with one theater we go to a lot and use it on every purchase. Going to the early show for the matinee saves us $.
Coupons and deals
I regularly check websites like Retail Me Not and The Consumerist for information on deals.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Today I got up early (this is becoming a habit!), went to the gym, picked up my dry cleaning, filled up the gas tank, bought used books at the friends of the library book sale, came home and made pancakes and turkey bacon with My Heart's Desire, hung out for a bit, had a lovely afternoon snooze, went to Target, picked up kabobs for dinner from My Heart's Desire's second favorite kabob place, came home and did even more laundry, and now am going to read under the heated covers.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Today I got up early, did AM Yoga while trying to turn my brain off, crawled back in bed (am so in love with the electric blanket!), wrote for 15 minutes, read a bit of Fodor’s Hawaii 2010, remembered to put on makeup, went to work, was glad I have umbrellas everywhere, dropped off dry cleaning, perused used books at local used book store, bought The Inheritance of Loss for $3, met a mentee, tried to return a timer to Crate & Barrel at 8:07 when they closed at 8:00, had a yummy dinner at home, enchiladas (I assembled them a month ago and froze) with rice My Heart’s Desire made, watched some TV, and am calling it a night!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
10 for 10
So far I am 10 for 10 on my November Writing goal! I have managed to write (for me, not for work) for 15 minutes every day. And the two days I didn't write, I doubled up the following day and wrote for a half hour. Right now it's kind of a mishmash of ideas, lines, essay, notes, and fiction. The content matters much less than the process for this experiment!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Today I am grateful for: seeing all the birds (and the aptly named Fat Squirrel) that visit our feeders, reading library books and magazines, green tea (yes, this thrifty girl re-uses teabags), healthy living blogs, orange bubbly, and a nice chat with Mom.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
World News & Sparkly Thongs
Newsweek is like the Victoria's Secret catalog. It doesn't stop coming!
In late spring I started getting notices from Newsweek magazine asking me to renew my subscription. Even though it's only $20 for the year, a thrifty girl has to save money. As my late, honorary Grandmother would say, "Pennies make dollars." In this case, $20's make hundies.
My subscription ended in early August. And yet, Newsweek still keeps coming. I called to make sure they weren't going to renew and charge me. I was told it's normal to get issues for an additional few weeks. It's been more than two months!
It's just like the Victoria's Secret catalog. Every week, another copy.
In late spring I started getting notices from Newsweek magazine asking me to renew my subscription. Even though it's only $20 for the year, a thrifty girl has to save money. As my late, honorary Grandmother would say, "Pennies make dollars." In this case, $20's make hundies.
My subscription ended in early August. And yet, Newsweek still keeps coming. I called to make sure they weren't going to renew and charge me. I was told it's normal to get issues for an additional few weeks. It's been more than two months!
It's just like the Victoria's Secret catalog. Every week, another copy.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Bread and cheese
For some reason (sickie, perhaps?) all I've wanted to eat today is bread and cheese. I had a cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese for breakfast, and cheesy toast for lunch.
I took the photo above in Little Italy, Manhattan. In summer 2006 I went up to the City solo for a few days. One morning I woke up really early (before it was super-extra-hot with a side of hot) and walked to Little Italy and saw the local baker making fresh bread deliveries.
I took the photo above in Little Italy, Manhattan. In summer 2006 I went up to the City solo for a few days. One morning I woke up really early (before it was super-extra-hot with a side of hot) and walked to Little Italy and saw the local baker making fresh bread deliveries.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Cough, sneeze, :(
Despite my earlier post and gallons of tea guzzled, I must admit I actually do have a cold. It is suspiciously similar to the one that’s kept My Heart’s Desire home from work for three days this week.
I have been getting lots of sleep, taking vitamins, avoiding caffeine, and washing my hands often. Alas, this cold won’t be beat. It’s time to whip out the big guns!
Mom’s Cold/Flu Remedy Drink
Orange Bubbly
½ serving orange juice w/pulp
½ serving Sprite or 7up
Pour over crushed ice.
Drink through straw.
I have been getting lots of sleep, taking vitamins, avoiding caffeine, and washing my hands often. Alas, this cold won’t be beat. It’s time to whip out the big guns!
Mom’s Cold/Flu Remedy Drink
Orange Bubbly
½ serving orange juice w/pulp
½ serving Sprite or 7up
Pour over crushed ice.
Drink through straw.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
November Writing
I semi-seriously considered participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), where writers pen a novel in one month.
The idea is interesting but speed writing doesn’t appeal to me that much. I’m more of a muller. I have to have various ideas kick around for a bit before I put pencil to paper.
NaNoWriMo did bring to my attention that I haven’t been very consistent with my 2009 Commandment #4: Write three times a week, even if it’s only a little.
I decided to be inspired by the event (even though I’m not participating in it). This month is busy – but so are all of the other months.
My November Goal is to write for 15 minutes every day.
On Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday I wrote in the morning when the house was still quiet. I’m just writing down whatever comes out – not trying to stick to a theme or any specific idea. Just letting my pencil move across the paper.
The idea is interesting but speed writing doesn’t appeal to me that much. I’m more of a muller. I have to have various ideas kick around for a bit before I put pencil to paper.
NaNoWriMo did bring to my attention that I haven’t been very consistent with my 2009 Commandment #4: Write three times a week, even if it’s only a little.
I decided to be inspired by the event (even though I’m not participating in it). This month is busy – but so are all of the other months.
My November Goal is to write for 15 minutes every day.
On Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday I wrote in the morning when the house was still quiet. I’m just writing down whatever comes out – not trying to stick to a theme or any specific idea. Just letting my pencil move across the paper.
Monday, November 2, 2009
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